Augochlora sweat bees are a type of solitary bee that can occasionally sting humans when disturbed. Their attraction to salt and sweat means they may land on skin increasing chances of getting stung. While rare Augochlora stings can cause reactions ranging from mild to potentially severe.
About Augochlora Sweat Bees
Augochlora bees are a genus of sweat bees found throughout North and South America There are over 130 different species Some characteristics include
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Metallic green or blue coloring on their head and thorax Abdomen is black with pale bands.
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Small size, around 5-10 mm long.
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Nest in pre-existing holes, like rotten wood or hollow stems. Unlike other bees, they don’t build hives.
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Attracted to human sweat because of its salt content. They will lick sweat directly off skin.
Why Augochlora Bees Sting
Augochlora bees are not aggressive and stinging is rare. But it can happen if:
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The bee is accidentally crushed or disturbed while on someone’s skin.
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A nest area is disrupted, provoking defensive action.
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The bee mistakes swatting as a threat and stings in self-defense.
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Rarely, a few bees may sting in a coordinated attack when threatened.
So stings generally occur from accidental and defensive situations, not unprovoked attacks.
Signs and Symptoms of Stings
When stung, most people experience localized pain, itching, reddening and swelling around the sting site. A small white spot may form at the puncture point.
In those allergic to bee venom, Augochlora stings may trigger potentially life-threatening anaphylactic reactions requiring emergency care.
Even without an allergy, multiple stings increase risk of severe effects.
First Aid Treatment for Augochlora Stings
Follow these steps for first aid:
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Carefully remove the stinger using gauze or a credit card. Do not squeeze it to prevent releasing more venom.
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Wash the area with soap and water. Apply an ice pack to reduce swelling.
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Take an oral antihistamine to relieve itching. Ibuprofen or acetaminophen can help relieve pain.
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Monitor for signs of anaphylaxis like hives, breathing difficulty or swelling of the face/throat. Seek immediate medical care if these develop.
Longer Term Treatment and Prevention
For moderate reactions, oral anti-inflammatories and topical steroid creams may be prescribed to reduce persisting symptoms.
Those with allergies should have an epinephrine auto-injector (EpiPen) available at all times and get allergy testing.
Immunotherapy involves getting injections of small amounts of bee venom to desensitize the body over time. This can prevent future severe allergic reactions from stings.
Why Are Augochlora Bees Attracted to Sweat? sweat contains salts (sodium chloride) and nutrients that appeal to Augochlora bees. They will lick sweat directly off skin to ingest the salts.
Some key reasons these solitary bees seek out sweat include:
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Salts are essential minerals needed for bodily functions and egg production. Sweat provides sodium, potassium, calcium and magnesium.
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Sweat may provide moisture when other natural water sources are scarce.
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Amino acids and proteins in sweat supply nutrients to augment their floral diet.
So while unusual, licking human sweat is simply an efficient way for Augochlora bees to supplement their nutritional and mineral intake. This salt-seeking behavior is what earned them the name “sweat bees”.
Can Augochlora Stings Transmit Disease?
There is no evidence Augochlora stingers can transmit infectious disease to humans. The stinger itself is not a pathway for pathogens.
The only concern is if bacteria from the skin’s surface get introduced deeper through the puncture wound. This can be minimized with basic first aid cleaning of the sting site.
Overall, Augochlora stings do not pose any diseased-related risks beyond the effects of the venom itself. The venom is designed to paralyze prey, not spread infection.
Differences Between Males and Females
Only female Augochlora bees can sting. Male sweat bees do not have a stinger.
The stinger is a modified egg-laying organ (ovipositor) adapted for defense, so it is exclusive to females. Males may still bite if threatened, but cannot inject venom.
Females also display the attracted to human sweat, since they need extra nutrients for egg production. Male Augochlora are mainly focused on feeding themselves nectar.
Can Augochlora Stings Be Dangerous?
For those without bee venom allergies, Augochlora stings may be painful but are generally not medically dangerous. There is a small risk if you are stung many times in a short period.
However, anyone with a bee allergy must take special precautions. Anaphylaxis is potentially fatal without immediate medical treatment with epinephrine.
See an allergist about testing and immunotherapy if you have had concerning reactions to any bee stings in the past. Carrying an EpiPen is vital.
While rare, Augochlora stings can certainly become dangerous depending on your unique allergy status and exposure.
Augochlora sweat bees are attracted to human sweat because of its appealing salt content. Though not aggressive, they will defend themselves if threatened. Females can inflict painful stings, ranging from mild nuisance to severe life-threatening reactions in those allergic. Understanding their behavior helps prevent encounters, but caution is still needed around these unique bees.
The Physical Characteristics of Sweat Bees
Most sweat bees are slender and on the small side when compared to honey bees and bumble bees. Three defining characteristics are:
- Short tongues
- There are hairless, finger-like parts further up the mouth tube of this bee than on other bees.
- Strongly curved basal veins on their wings
Size and coloration vary considerably by species. They are tiny to medium-sized bees, ranging from 3 to 10 mm (0. 1 to 0. 4 inches) in length, and are typically slender in form. While most are black or brown in color, some species are metallic green, blue, or purple. Others are striped like honey bees, with bands of green, red or yellow on their abdomens.
7 Quick Facts about Sweat Bees
- The sweat bees are in the Halictidae family, which is the second largest bee family after Apidae, which is made up of honey bees.
- Their common name, “sweat bee,” comes from the fact that they like the salt in sweat.
- Even though sweat bees are most common in temperate areas, they can be found in almost any setting and are native to every continent except Antarctica.
- In terms of size, color, and social behavior, sweat bees are one of the most varied groups of bees.
- Some species of sweat bees live alone, in groups, or in semi-social situations. Others, like honey bees, live in eusocial colonies where work and reproduction are strictly separated. Some species even change how they act with each other based on the season, elevation, and the amount of food available.
- Sweat bees are very important for pollinating native trees and flowers, as well as food crops like stone fruits that are grown for sale.
- In general, sweat bees are harmless. They don’t act mean, and they will only sting if they feel threatened. Even though sweat bee stings are very mild, people who are very allergic to bee stings should be very careful.
Sweat Bee (Augochloropsis metallica)
FAQ
What happens if you get stung by a sweat bee?
How venomous are sweat bees?
How painful are sweat bees?
What sweat bees don’t sting?
Is Augochlora pura a ‘pure green sweat bee’?
Augochlora pura was recently suggested the common name Pure Green Sweat Bee, but about it has been written that “it does not seem to need one with such a musical scientific designation that means ‘pure golden green.'” Within Halictidae, 4 subfamilies, 81 genera, and over 4,000 species have been defined.
Can one experience severe pain after a bee sting in the throat, ear, or jaw?
Yes, severe pain can occur after a bee sting in the throat, ear, or jaw due to the sensitivity of these areas. Swelling and discomfort may also affect breathing and swallowing. If this happens, seek immediate medical attention, especially if it’s accompanied by signs of an allergic reaction.
What does a Augochlora bee look like?
Adult: The adults of Augochlora are striking bees, with a heavily sculptured carapace (outer surface or exoskeleton). Numerous punctures cover the iridescent head, thorax, and abdomen. The striking colors of the adult carapace range from green to blue to gold.
Do sweat bees sting?
Sweat bees are generally harmless, but they can sting you if disturbed. Like other bees, their stingers have venom. If you’re allergic to bee stings, you may also be allergic to sweat bee stings. Sweat bees are typically smaller than other kinds of bees. However, their stings can cause similar signs and symptoms.
Do Augochlora pura bees eat humans?
Though solitary, Augochlora pura females occasionally form aggregations in response to their own pheromones or the presence of salt (Barrows 1974). These female bees will lick sweat off humans and may sting if startled or threatened while consuming sweat. Males do not participate in nest construction or provisioning.
How do I know if I have a sweat bee sting?
We’ll look at what to do for mild and severe reactions to a sweat bee sting, including when you need to get medically checked. You’re stung multiple times. You’re stung on the head, neck, or mouth. You have a lot of swelling or pain at the sting site. You have difficulty breathing. You have an allergy to bee stings. Do sweat bees sting?